I don’t know what I believe there. I want to believe we are more than our bodies, but I’m someone who needs proof to believe anything, and the only thing I know for certain is that I do not know. Is there anything particular that makes you believe we are more than our physical bodies?

I’m not sure I can answer that question but  I know that some of the most powerful things I’ve experienced are of an abstract nature. ie love    Our scope is so limited it would seem difficult to believe that this is the end all.

Hi everyone!

This has got to be the #1 question that most people on the planet ask: Is there an afterlife? Will my personality–my identity survive death and awaken in some other realm or reality?  The topic question asks, “do you believe…” and I could go on and on here about what I believe, and it may or may not land with you. To answer the question directly–YES, I believe in an afterlife. Then I thought about why I believe this and what was the defining  moment that assured this belief in my mind.  This is certainly not something anybody can prove by the scientific method, so if you are looking for that, you will be disappointed in my explanation.

Religion and popular culture suggest there is a heaven or a hell where we go in the afterlife.  Since religion has done a poor job in explaining this, and pop culture only parrots what the majority of people think about it, it has no “real” value to us other than this lofty idea that sounds nice if it were true, but without details, it is a difficult concept to grasp.

What we know about something is our own experience with it.  Since we will not know until we experience it, what experience can I have that will give me a comfortable assurance that this is so?

We must become sincerely curious about it if we want the answer.  We must have some degree of faith that we will receive an answer that we will be satisfied with.  In faith we must venture down the path.  Where do we begin to look for this answer?  Start with those who have come the closest to it and do some research.  Ask those who have been clinically dead for some period of time what it was like for them.  There are thousands of stories and testimonies from those who have had Near Death Experiences all over the internet and Youtube.  See if there is a common thread in these stories and more importantly, see how it has changed their life since they have returned.

This is what I did because I was sincerely curious about it. If you are more attached to believing there is nothing, you will find nothing that will convince you otherwise.  Be open and allow the universe to answer you.

I then began to explore deep meditation as a way for me to find an answer that would satisfy my sincere curiosity. I wanted to have a real connection with the creative force of the universe.  This was not something I did occasionally, but was something I was driven to do every chance I could–I truly wanted to experience something that was beyond my understanding.

That driven, sincere, desire to know and to ask questions was the catalyst that put the universe in motion.  I had many mystical experiences during those deep meditations that convinced me that I was unconditionally loved and that everything was going to be OK.  I won’t go into all those mystical experiences for the sake of keeping this thread reasonably brief, but the one thing that convinced me that life was eternal was after having my first of many Out of Body Experiences.

The first time when I was up on the ceiling looking down at my sleeping body and being quite conscious, alive–more than alive, exhilarated, free, having sight, senses, memory, and motion, I was completely astounded!  The excitement finally brought me back into my body where I felt so confined, like being stuffed into a meat sack.  I wanted to return to that free exhilarating state apart from my body.  I was so incredibly happy and joyful after having that experience you couldn’t wipe a smile off my face for a week.  I truly believed in life eternal after that because it was my experience.  My sincere curiosity in faith, led me to the answer–the universe answered because I asked.

From this beginning step of sincere curiosity to know, my life has been changed and I continue to be astounded everyday by the reality of Spirit in my life. If you “really” want to know, seek and you will find, ask and it shall be given, knock and the door will opened to you.

Peace,

Chris

Absolutely! Is there a reason not to? Anything is possible…

Which came first heaven or man? I suspect the latter : )

They recently found out that the earth was 8OO million years older then originally thought and we already knew that the dinosuars were on the planet for million of years longer then man. So have they a heaven?  

I believe in an energy heaven that we’re all part of. but I do think that everything has an energy living or not : )

• This reply was modified 11 years ago by Patrick.

Excellent points, Patrick!

You also say thank You, Chris. (no, not to Randy) and welcome to the club. now you know we are a two sided coin. perhaps it will happen we can compare notes, likewise i was astounded to the point that, i could not tell even to my wife, for a couple of months, i would open my mouth to tell about it and no sounds would come out, i guess my brain cells were trying to network, i had never seen/experienced something perfect, it took me years to come to terms to the revelation i was family to THAT, enough said for the moment.

Peace to You also,